“Picture You” underwater with KALEIDA’s deep, bubbly new single

At this point in time, the sultry pop of London’s KALEIDA is the strongest contender for a soundtrack to a Little Mermaid film reinvented Her-style, if it ever were to happen. (Hello, Spike Jonze.) The musical duo’s third single, “Picture You”, of their soon-to-be-released debut premiered today, months after last November’s “Think” and early Christmas present “Tropea.”

Combining neo-Noir electronica and uplifting pop melodies in an operatic style akin to Austra, vocalist Christina Wood and instrumentalist and producer Cicely Goulder have established themselves as darlings of the online music community and the UK’s BBC Radio.

“Picture You” employs the same sea-jungle atmosphere as “Tropea” for its four and a half minutes, but its vocal track soars and stalls like those on “Think.” “To carry… me… quiet cover,” the chorus chimes. Wood’s vocals float over the keys’ quiet ostinato and sparse percussion in an effective stripping-away of layered accompaniments characteristic of larger groups. Meanwhile, Goulder doesn’t try to “hypewoman” the act; she keeps the production clean. Their voluntary minimalist effort (in sound) is refreshing, catchy, and simply put, beautiful.

About The Author

Joanna Jiang isn’t the best listener — she tends to talk. A lot, and in a Canadian accent. But some celestial (hip hop-inflected) post-rock, a couple of egocentric (self-enthroned) rap kings, or a solid dance-punk track (of the DFA persuasion) will render her speechless. A cake decorator-turned-PR girl, she also partakes frequently in tea sampling, documentary film screenings, and environmental justice advocacy.